Page 135 of Massacre Monday

“Shit. Hope you made them pay,” I say.

Pup buries her face in Ryan’s chest. Her back shakes, as if she’s chuckling and hiding it.

“That’s the thing. It happened while I was inside at work, and the camera only caught some nondescript black SUV doing it in the parking lot. Twelve times.”

“Damn.”

At the same time, Ryan smirks and says, “This one looks like it fits you better.”

Nico’s shoulders tighten, but Livia grabs Ryan’s hand and leads him toward the manor. “Let’s get you inside. Adal? You staying or going?”

My son crosses his arms and stares down my daughter’s boyfriend. “Going.”

“Yes, we have plenty of time to discuss the operations of Nine Lives later. See ya, Adal,” Ryan throws over his shoulder as we walk inside.

Oz dashes down the stairs as we round them for the dining room as a group. “Done with my tournament. First place.”

“Congrats, Ozzie.” Livia grabs his waist and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “For your game?”

“Yeah, Mom. What I’ve been talking about for three weeks straight.”

I clap my hands together and rub them at the smell of the bacon, taking a seat at the head of the table. As soon as I grab a stack and dig in, I can settle enough to ask, “So, why are Adal and Ryan at odds?”

Oz and Ryan look at each other.

“StupidDeltaandThetaalumni stuff, Dad. I hate to say it, but you wouldn’t understand.” Oz waves it off, grabbing a helping of steak.

Ryan nods. “I think things will be fine once I graduate. At least, I’m hoping he’ll be okay working under me and making the new company successful. For both Cardell Enterprisesandthe Freidenberg Foundation.”

“I’ll make sure he does,” I say easily.

Not only have we had enough war in this city that I now strive for peace, but Adal’s had it rough the last two years after his appointed was murdered. I think spending less time with the Marauders and taking on a more structured role may be good for him. And he wants to do what’s right.

“What about you, Oz? Any word on your appointed yet? I know it’s early…”

Oz chokes on a bite of his food and dabs at the corners of his mouth. He glances at Ryan, then darts his eyes away. “Um, no. Not yet.”

“Dad, come on,” Pippi says, laying her hand on mine. Just like her mother always does.

“What? I’m just asking. Maybe he’ll get another brother. I’m Maximillian Freidenberg. I can ask them to pair you up with someone you’d like.”

I understand he’s worried he won’t get matched with a man he wants or one at all. But that was a risk he was willing to takewhen he signed up. Livia warned him repeatedly, but he begged to pledge, saying he’d take anyone they’d appoint to him.

Ryan gives me a solid nod in agreement. He gets it.

Once dinner is doneand the kids head upstairs, I scramble to grab my wife for a nightcap. “Here. Bourbon?” I hand her a double.

“Yep, thanks.” She takes a sip, then settles next to me on the leather sofa, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“What do you think it is between Nico, Adal, and Ryan?”

“Probably more male pissing contests. I’m staying out of it. That’s the best thing to do, I think.”

“Should we ask your brother to look into it?”

“No. He’s having enough of a time dealing with his brood.”

I press my lips to her temple and lower my voice to a deep bass. “Speaking of… How about we make one more?”